Fiji Labour Party head likens arrest of members to "police state"

The leader of Fiji's labour party is questioning how the country can progress towards elections after members of his party were arrested.

15 people, including Fiji Labour Party members, were arrested, after allegedly holding a meeting without a permit.

The Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, says they were in a private residence, and it just a kava session with discussion.

"They were not having a meeting, they were not in a public place, and this is just like a police state. We're supposed to be moving towards democracy and constitutional rule. We're talking about having a new constitution, we're talking about registering voters for an election that is scheduled for 2014."